Letters 7/14-7/21

Every spring and fall an extraordinary migration passes through our city, mostly unseen. Millions of birds fly overhead navigating, with great precision, using the starlight, landmarks, and the earth's magnetic field. Many are songbirds such as warblers, thrushes, tanangers, and sparrows. Their journey is long and hard, but they continue on, mile after mile, north to their breeding grounds and then back south to their winter homes...unless, of course, they crash into a window of a lit building. Artificial lights attract and disorient birds causing them to collide with windows or structures or circle lights until they die of exhaustion. Collisions cause up to a billion bird deaths per year in the U.S. alone. Turn off unnecessary exterior lights from dusk until dawn during migrations: spring, April 1- July 1; fall, August 1-November 1. Close blinds and curtains at night. Ask your employer to turn off decorative exterior lights. Save energy. Spread the word.

Some nice picks (and pics). Was a little surprised that no radlers made the list, they're really catching on. But I have to disagree with "Bendites can be forgiven for wishing this month passes as quickly as possible." I think you'd be hard pressed to find a single Bendite that wishes July would pass quickly! #summerforever

I think that the root of the issue is that there are people leaving trash for others to pick up. Regardless of the event or one's race, religion, sexual preference, or beliefs, in my book, littering is littering. And it's all over the city. Let's all show respect for one another—and this beautiful place we call home—and leave it better than we found it. Pretty simple and doesn't beg debate...

It's a fun quirky event but the past couple of years I've noticed a lot of obnoxious bike "etiquette" and behavior while riding on the roads. As far as litter goes... I've noticed way more of that all over town regardless of the bike ride. One of the things I noticed immediately upon moving to Bend in the early 2000s is the absence of litter. Now I notice it everywhere in parks, river trail, streets, etc. I guess that's the price you pay when you grow into a "big city" and I don't see it getting better. More people, more problems.

Of course it's about freedom. Not in a WW2 patriotic, apple pie, Christianity, Ford trucks (or GMC), fishin' and huntin' 'Merica kind of way, but in a BurningMan kind of way. Still the freedom to express yourself in a reasonably respectful manner. As far as I am concerned, the right to free speech / freedom of expression - it is our most important cornerstone.

Once again you went for the low-hanging fruit with this article and revealed you know nothing about Phish. As a Phan that lives in Bend, it's embarrassing that the Source writes an article that, on the surface, appears to be welcoming. Instead, it is really insulting. As evidenced by this article, Perhaps TSW's drug of choice is huffing gas.

Troy Field is certainly not as picturesque as Drake Park, not by a long shot. But it is part of Bend's history, a waymark for travelers to come and read the inscription about its history. A green field in the heart of Bend. Something not touched by the vast development that is happening all around Bend, especially the beloved west/old side.

The developer, from out of state, plans on a condo/hotel, or contel, which they are also known as. A contel and a timeshare go hand and hand, the only difference is the condo is owned by an individual, generally from out of state, that will use it as a vacation destination and when it is not being used the owner puts in in the contel system, which will rent it out to whomever will pay the price. Also, the contel is a hotel. This four-story building will overpower local, classic-building businesses. It will bring 24-hour, seven days a week traffic/parking problems. Driving on Bond or Wall will be worse than ever. The profits will go to the developer (remember, out of state) and the condo owners (also generally out of state).

We have some hotels here that are owned by people in Bend. Is this good for our own city residents?

The developer has to petition the city for the removal of the Public Facilities designation—this is key. Even if the City did build an office building that hopefully would blend with the old architecture and large grass area, it would be [open] office hours five days a week, closed evenings and weekends—not 24/7 created only for tourists. Best case would be, save Troy Field and rent out parking for micro vendors—food, beer, wine, tiny shops. Local [is greater than] out of state. Rent the field out for music or night games. Bend loves outdoor organized events and music.

We need the city to not remove the public facilities designation!

Let the city know we are not just selling off our history to the highest bidder. Call, write—we can save Troy Field if we, the locals, stick together. Please don't just say, "Oh, well stuff happens."

Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Julia - We couldn't agree any more! Read our Slipper, page 5. And start a letter writing campaign, which we understand will require coffee. We have you covered there. Stop by for a gift certificate to Palate for the Letter of the Week award.

—Julia O.

CORRECTION

Bend Park and Recreation District Don Horton recently reached out to inform the Source that the employee who rebuffed Jaik Goff's concerns about debris in the river ["Don't Love That Dirty Water," (7/1)] was a seasonal employee who is no longer employed by BPRD. Horton says that Parks Events Specialist Mark Johnson spoke to Goff later, apologizing for the other employee's behavior and offering his business card for further concerns. The Source attempted to verify Goff's portrayal of Johnson's role in the interaction before going to press, but a message left for Johnson was never returned. We regret the error.